New York, NY

Considered by many the greatest city in the world, NYC has it all: nightlife, culture, landmarks and a competitive housing market.

As you start looking for a place to live in NYC, you will find that homes for sale in Manhattan’s poshest neighborhoods can set you back upwards of $5M. If you’re buying, you’ll get more bang for your buck in up-and-coming neighborhoods like Park Slope, Brooklyn. The Upper West Side, Cobble Hill and DUMBO are also popular neighborhoods for young families and singles alike.

But, by and large, New York is a young renters’ city: The median age of New York City residents is 37 and only 17 percent of them are homeowners. For young singles (60 percent of the population, BTW), the Lower East Side, SoHo, Williamsburg, Greenpoint and Astoria are some hot spots to rent.

So what’s it like to live in New York City? Imagine catching a live show every morning on your commute that actually happens here as musicians and performers post up in the subway stations every day. It’s a welcomed little pleasure as most of your life will be spent on the subway; 65 percent of commuters use public transportation to get to work. And you’ll have to get used to walking just about everywhere. But who cares when strolls to work, the corner bodega or Penn Station are set against a backdrop of art, architecture, fashion, music and street food vendors.

And if you’re all about checking famous landmarks off the bucket list, New York has more than its fair share: the Empire State Building and the World Trade Center, relaxing oases like Central Park and Prospect Park and world-famous museums like the Moma. These attractions draw tourists and New Yorkers alike (though don’t expect to see a local anywhere near Times Square).

When it comes to nightlife, NYC really is the city that never sleeps. Dinner often begins at 9 or 10 p.m. on the weekends and bars and clubs stay open until at least 4 a.m.